Selden Middle School Students Design Classroom HVAC/R Systems via Two-Dimensional Drawing and Three-Dimensional Models
CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (MARCH 2021)—Middle Country Central School District’s technology students at Selden Middle School learned how to stay cool under pressure through the completion of their recent Heating, Ventilation, Air Condition and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) projects.
The project, which coincides with the district’s Introduction to Skilled Trades unit, challenged the architectural design skills of Mr. Walsh’s eighth grade technology students to create a real-life simulation of a classroom air conditioning system. Using a 2-D drawing approach, students used paper and pencil to draft an image of the classroom and then proceeded to build the ventilation and heating systems in 3-D. The hands-on experience marched students swiftly through the nuts and bolts of how an HVAC/R system operates and positioned them as thought leaders and creative thinkers.
Middle Country’s Introduction to Skilled Trades unit provides tangible advice on steps students can proactively take to prepare and position themselves for a successful career in the field of skilled trades. The unit familiarizes students with eight trades: mason, plumbing, small engine repair, HVAC/R, electrician, landscape architecture and design, residential carpentry, and welding.
Middle Country Students Hosting Book Collection Drive Through March 31
CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (MARCH 2021)—The Selden Middle School National Junior Honor Society, Centereach High School National Honor Society and Home & Careers club, in conjunction with The Book Fairies, are hosting a book collection drive aimed at promoting literacy in the community. Donations of new or gently used books will be accepted through March 31, 2021.
“This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to support several families in our community in their educational journey,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Middle Country Central School District. “Reading is an essential skill for success in school and later on in life. Promoting literacy through this drive can serve as a catalyst for thoughtful conversations among students, teachers, staff and Middle Country families. The District is grateful for any contributions towards our students’ goal of collecting 2,021 books to benefit those in need.”
The community can participate by dropping off reading materials in the book collection boxes located in the Selden Middle School Library or at the Selden Middle School Welcome Desk, if your child is enrolled in fully remote learning. Cookbooks, as well children’s, young adult, and adult will be accepted. For more information, please contact Lizz Scott at lscott@mccsd.net or Ann Lowe (alowe@mccsd.net).
The Book Fairies is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that collects reading materials for people in need throughout metropolitan New York. The reading materials foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across age groups. Visit www.thebookfairies.org for more information.
Hawkins Path Elementary Students Organize Valentine Goodie Bags for Stony Brook’s PICU
CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2021)—What could be better than an extra dose of kindness on Valentine’s Day with the challenging and unforeseen circumstances this year has presented? Students in Ms. Ferrari’s first grade class at Middle Country’s Hawkins Path made it their mission to spread a simple act of kindness throughout the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Stony Brook Hospital (SBH).After substantial brainstorming, Ms. Ferrari’s students determined the best way to spread kindness was to distribute goodie bags to ailing children spending the holiday in the PICU. The class solicited donations from family members and collectively filled more than two dozen valentine goodie bags with small toys, candy, pencils, stickers and more. The initiative served as a learning experience for the young first graders on spreading kindness while enhancing their civic and social responsibility skills.
Congratulations Kaitlyn Lerner, Chris Cartolano, Logan Squillace, and Lukas Wolpiuk
CENTEREACH, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2021)—The Middle Country Central School District (MCCSD) recently announced its February students of the month: Kaitlyn Lerner, Newfield High School (NHS); Chris Cartolano, Centereach High School (CHS); Logan Squillace, Selden Middle School (SMS); and Lukas Wolpiuk, Dawnwood Middle School (DMS). These four distinguished students were recognized and honored for their academic success and positive contributions to their learning environment and the community.
“The District is incredibly proud of Kaitlyn, Chris, Logan and Lukas for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the positive impact that they all have made on our school community. We look forward to witnessing them continue serving as role models for their peers.”
Kaitlyn Lerner, a senior at Newfield High School who is widely recognized for being attentive and conscientious towards her work, currently maintains a 92.5227 weighted Grade Point Average (GPA). She will have completed a total of 10 college level and Advanced Placement (AP) courses upon graduation. In addition to her participation on the varsity cheerleading team, National Honor Society and General Organization (G.O.), Kaitlyn works several hours a week at a local acai and bagel shop.
Come this fall, Kaitlyn plans to study environmental engineering and work towards her goal of becoming an environmental engineer. Saving the planet is something Kaitlyn is passionate about.
Centereach High School’s Chris Cartolano is someone who routinely exceeds expectations as a result of his focused dedication and intense work ethic. His attitude, coupled with his desire to learn from teachers and coaches, has served him well both inside and outside of the classroom. As someone who approaches his academics and athletics with the same level of concentration and determination, Chris regularly volunteers at his local church, contributes to the district’s booster club with its various events, and serves as a positive role model while coaching and training youth basketball.
Upon graduation in the spring, Chris intends on studying locally, while also considering enlisting in the military.
Logan Squillace, eighth grader at Selden Middle School, is a selfless individual who continues to put service before self. His love for his country, matched with his passion for American history, has been a driving force in his participation with student government and community service. While attending the Westhampton Beach Learning Center, Logan was a recipient of the Leadership Certificate. Outside the classroom, Logan spends time with “Helping Makes You Happy, a local organization that aims to demonstrate how every human is capable of making a difference through volunteering. As a sports enthusiast, Logan enjoys basketball and football and will be trying out for the basketball team in high school. In the future, Logan plans to join the armed services to serve his country and pursue a career in politics, in the hopes of becoming President of the United States.
Dawnwood Middle School seventh grader Lukas Wolpiuk, a conscientious student who strives to perform his best in all aspects of life, currently maintains a 100 GPA. While some may be appropriately impressed with his report card grades, it’s Luka’s genuine desire to invest time, effort and hard work to consistently achieve success that sets him apart. Most recently Lukas, who has a passion for trains and transportation, was featured in several regional news outlets discussing his concerns for proposed bridge and toll hikes, parking costs, and agreed that the delay in raising fares was the right move. Lukas is steadfast in taking his passion to the next level and intends on pursuing a career in engineering for Amtrak or holding a position on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board when he completes school.
